Colourful Darlington chairman George Reynolds today admitted he is in a race against time to open the club's 25,000 seater new stadium for the start of next season.

But Reynolds has assured fans that the possible delay is beyond his control, and that his resolve is undimmed.

"The finances are in place. It's a question of time," Reynolds told the Gazette today, adding that delays caused by protesters at the start of the project had affected the timetable.

"It depends on the delivery of materials, much of which is coming from overseas. Then it's a question of installing and completing everything."

Reynolds insists he wants it open in August and, failing that, hopes the football authorities allow the club to move in part way through the season."

The chairman is likely to increase admission prices for next season by around £3. That is what many fans asked him to do at last week's infamous fans' forum.

He insists that all money through the turnstiles can go on team building.

"The rest of our income is needed to run the club and pay the other staff," said Reynolds. "I've told manager Tommy Taylor the situation. Now it's up to the fans to support the team."

The manager's budget this summer will be based on the income from games over the current season.

Quakers entertain Macclesfield at Feethams tonight, and supporters groups have called for the town to rally round, turn out in force, and boost the image of the club for what could be the last ever night match at Feethams.

Skipper Craig Liddle returns to the starting line-up, while Mark Convery looks set for a rare starting place in place of injured Paul Campbell.

Mark Ford hopes to play despite a niggling groin problem.

The team is still reeling from losing a number of key players to injury, but Taylor insists: "We're due a win and we want it tonight. We want to put the events of last week behind us and all get on with the job."

STRIKER Eifion Williams could be unveiled as a Hartlepool player ahead of tonight's clash with Lincoln City.

The Gazette understands 26-year-old Williams travelled to the North-east last night and was today set for talks.

Asked about the proposed £30,000 move, Chris Turner issued a terse "no comment" this morning, but it's no secret that the Pool manager has been searching for a new front-man.

And, in the aftermath of Saturday's sloppy defeat at Kidderminster, a frustrated Turner said: "We should never have lost that game and that's why I'm looking to bring players in who can win games for us."

Williams' record as a Torquay striker -24 goals in 94 league starts - doesn't suggest that he's a prolific scorer, but Turner may see him as a goalscoring attacking midfielder.

Williams, a former Wales Under-21 international, would not be allowed to play tonight under league rules, should he sign prior to kick-off (7.45pm), but top scorer Gordon Watson will start.

And Darrell Clarke could be set for a recall in place of on-loan winger James Coppinger, who'd drop to the bench.

The manager said: "Gordon Watson will be starting. He was always going to regardless of what happened on Saturday. He wanted to play from the start then, but we couldn't risk it."

Turner said Watson's comeback has come at the "perfect time" with the side embarking on the final lap of their promotion play-off campaign.